Surgical tool with feedback

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes removably attaching an input device of a surgical feedback system to a surgical tool having a handle. The input device has at least one sensor configured to collect a plurality of original signals. The plurality of original signals has at least one of an acoustic signal or a vibration signal. The surgical tool contacts tissue of a patient. And, a notification of the type of tissue being contacted by the surgical tool is received.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a surgical tool having a handle, and a shaft, the surgical tool having at least two widths along the surgical tool; 
 a surgical feedback system comprising:
 an input device with at least one sensor configured to collect a plurality of original signals, the plurality of original signals having at least one of an acoustic signal or a vibration signal, the input device including a clip having at least two legs gripping at least one of the handle and the shaft of the surgical tool, the legs being spring-loaded and adjustable during use so as to be removably connected to the at least one of the handle and the shaft so as to grip differing widths of the surgical tool; 
 a control unit configured to receive the original signals from the input device and modify the signals providing a modified signal configured to notify a surgeon of a type of tissue being contacted by the surgical tool; and 
 an output device configured to receive the modified signal and transmit the modified signal. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the input device includes a microphone, the control unit includes an amplifier, and the output device includes at least one speaker configured to emit audio signals having a frequency within a range from 5 Hz to 20 kHz. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the output device is configured to be located within an operating room environment. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein communication between at least one of the input device, control unit or output device includes wireless communication. 
     
     
       5. A method comprising:
 removably attaching an input device of a surgical feedback system to a surgical tool having a handle, the input device having at least one sensor configured to collect a plurality of original signals, the plurality of original signals having at least one of an acoustic signal or a vibration signal; 
 contacting tissue of a patient with the surgical tool, the tissue having a type; and 
 receiving a notification of the type of tissue being contacted by the surgical tool. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the input device includes a microphone, and the notification includes an audio signal having a frequency within a range from 5 Hz to 20 kHz. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the notification is received within an operating room environment. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor is tuned to eliminate known acoustic and/or vibration noise within a surgical area. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus, comprising:
 a surgical tool having a handle, and a shaft, the surgical tool having at least two widths along the surgical tool; 
 a surgical feedback system comprising:
 an input device with at least one sensor configured to collect a plurality of original signals, the plurality of original signals having at least one of an acoustic signal or a vibration signal, the input device including a clip having at least two legs gripping at least one of the handle and the shaft of the surgical tool, the legs being spring-loaded and adjustable during use so as to be removably connected to the at least one of the handle and the shaft so as to grip differing widths of the surgical tool; 
 a control unit configured to receive the original signals from the input device and modify the signals providing a modified signal configured to notify a surgeon of a type of tissue being contacted by the surgical tool, wherein the control unit analyzes the original signals with records of a database to determine a tissue type or surface type of the biological material in contact with the functional tool based on the original signals; and 
 an output device configured to receive the modified signal and transmit the modified signal. 
 
 
     
     
       10. An apparatus, comprising:
 a surgical tool having a handle, and a shaft, the surgical tool having at least two widths along the surgical tool; 
 a surgical feedback system comprising:
 an input device with at least one sensor configured to collect a plurality of original signals, the plurality of original signals having at least one of an acoustic signal or a vibration signal, the input device including a clip having at least two legs gripping at least one of the handle and the shaft of the surgical tool, the legs being spring-loaded and adjustable during use so as to be removably connected to the at least one of the handle and the shaft so as to grip differing widths of the surgical tool, wherein the at least one sensor is tuned to eliminate known acoustic and/or vibration noise within a surgical area; 
 a control unit configured to receive the original signals from the input device and modify the signals providing a modified signal configured to notify a surgeon of a type of tissue being contacted by the surgical tool; and 
 an output device configured to receive the modified signal and transmit the modified signal.